Devon James has something to prove. At 17, the recent graduate of Harrison High School is admittedly taking on "quite a bite to chew". James, the artistic director at the New York Performing Arts Center (NYPAC), in White Plains is putting his actors through their paces as they rehearse for the upcoming production of Bert V. Royal's" DOG SEES GOD: Confessions of a teenage blockhead" (Dog Sees God is a palindrome - same letters forward as backward).
Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that's both haunting and hopeful. Remarkably, this story is told through the grown-up characters of Peanuts fame. The names have been changed to protect the innocent and avoid copyright infringement, but they are all there - CB (can you guess that one?), CB's sister (Sally), Matt (Pigpen), Van (Linus), Van's sister (Lucy), Tricia (Peppermint Patty), Marcy (Marcie), and Beethoven (Schroder).
Not exactly the light fare one would expect from a young adult production.
"Other productions (of DSG) have taken "safe" routes - they're quirky and comedic takes", said James during a break in rehearsal. "I aim to take an "edgy" route - take the theatre-goer on an emotional rollercoaster with the characters, but it works because we know them, we grew up with them." James went on to say that he believes DSG may be the "Hair" of our times. "This is showing our youth of the day dealing with issues of identity, sexuality, life and death, making healthy decisions, growing up and moving on all through the familiar characters of Peanuts." James even has plans to have a beagle on the stage at one point.
The cast range in age from 17 to 25, from newcomer to veteran and from all around Westchester County.
Performances will be at The Pulse Performing Arts Theatre, located in Bedford Hills. Shows are one weekend only, Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 15. Two shows each on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets call NYPAC at 914-358-4222 or visit the website at
www.nyperformingartscenter.com. Due to the mature theme of the production, no one under the age of 14 will be admitted without a parent/guardian.
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